2019-01-11

Kyrgyz ex-PM faces fresh corruption charges

Caravanserai

BISHKEK -- The Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security (GKNB) Thursday (January 10) announced that Sapar Isakov, the former prime minister who was arrested last year on corruption charges linked to the modernisation of a Bishkek power plant, faces additional charges, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Friday (January 11).

The new set of accusations is linked to large financial losses from the renovation of the Kyrgyz State Museum of History in Bishkek, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported Friday (January 11).

Isakov interfered in the project in 2016, said the GKNB, adding that a Turkish contractor then cancelled its agreement with the Kyrgyz government and that the project incurred additional expenses.

In the power plant case, which dates back to 2013, Isakov is accused of lobbying for a Chinese company to win the contract to modernise the plant. At the time, he was deputy chief of staff for then-President Almazbek Atambayev. The Chinese firm won the contract.